Perforating mechanism

ABSTRACT

A perforating mechanism for simultaneously perforating a web of material both longitudinally and transversely includes a revolving matrix roller and a plurality of discs carrying perforation pins which cooperate with holes in the matrix roller for the purpose of perforating a web of material therebetween. After the pins have worn down, they can be reground and adjusted.

[5 PERFORATING MECHANISM [72] Inventor: Joseph Herd, Munster near Dieburg,

Germany [73] Assignee: Maschinent'abrik Goebel Gmbl-l,

Darmstadt, Germany Filed: June 18, 1971 PPl. N0.: 154,444

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data I June 18, 1970 Germany ..P 20 29863.9

[52] US. Cl. ..83/345, 83/344, 83/660,.

83/678 [51] Int. Cl. ..B26f H00 [58] Field of Search ..83/344, 345, 660, 678

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,135,152 6/1964 Bedinghaus ..83/345 [4 1 Dec. 19, 1972 3,174,428 3/1965 Huck ..83/345 X 3,205,744 9/l965 Huck l l r ..83/345 3,407,69l l0/l968 Schlesinger ..83/345 X Primary ExaminerFrank T. Yost Attorney-Watson, Cole, Grindle and Watson [5 7] ABSTRACT A perforating mechanism for simultaneously perforating a web of material both longitudinally and transversely includes a revolving matrix roller and a plurality of discs carrying perforation pins which cooperate with holes in the matrix roller for the purpose of perforating a web of material therebetween. After the pins have worn down, they can be reground and adjusted.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHE 19 I97? 3. 706. 2 50 SHEET 2 or 3 ia 5M, 66 wd/Z 541m PATENTEW 3.706.250

sum 3 0F 3 //v:/E/vr0/e, JOSEPH A4920 PERFORATING MECHANISM CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION:

Applicant claims priority from corresponding German Patent application No. P 20 29 863.9-27, filed June 18, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

1. Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to a mechanism for simultaneously perforating a sheet or web of material both longitudinally and transversely by means of perforating pins which mesh with holes provided in a revolving matrix roller.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

Perforating mechanisms of the type described are well known for the production of postage stamps, discount or trading stamps and similar printed products. In previously known perforating mechanisms for production of longitudinal and transverse perforations, the longitudinal perforations are generally accomplished by one set of meshing rollers and the transverse perforations by a pair of meshing rollers separated from the first pair. Each pair of meshing rollers consists of a perforating roller equipped with pins and a matrix roller provided with corresponding holes. With this type of mechanism it is difficult to maintain an accurate register between longitudinal and transverse perforations. For that reason, irregularities often appear at the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse perforations. This is often not tolerable, particularly in the case of postage stamps.

Another prior art mechanism produces longitudinal and transverse perforations by means of one pair of meshing rollers wherein one of the rollers carries perforating pins and the other roller, serving as a matrix roller, has a hole pattern located for penetration by the perforating pins. According to experience, with such perforating mechanisms greater wear will occur than in the case of the perforating mechanisms discussed above which have separate roller pairs for longitudinal and transverse perforations. Also, with these mechanisms, it is commonplace for. perforating pins to be damaged or to break. In these prior perforating mechanisms, the incidence of wear can be eliminated only with a considerable expenditure of time and money. Likewise, replacement of damaged or broken perforating pins can be accomplished only with considerable expenditure of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages of known perforating mechanisms. The present invention provides means to achieve this object consisting of a plurality of discs for carrying the pins. These discs are displaced with reference to one another longitudinally of the web of material being perforated. The discs are mounted rotatably on several parallel axles each disc being assigned to produce a swath of perforations in a certain axial range of the matrix. For example, each disc may carry the perforating pins for a single longitudinal perforation and some of the perforating pins for transverse perforations located on each side of the longitudinal perforation.

Because, in the present invention, the perforating pins are distributed on a plurality of individual discs, the elimination of excess wear and pin breakage is accomplished much more easily than with previous mechanisms. This is accomplished, for example, by removing a worn or damaged disc and replacing it with a replacement disc. Also, the invention provides other possibilities for correcting the wear and pin damage problem which will be explained in more detail hereinbelow.

The discs carrying the perforating pins could be mounted beside one another on a common axle or shaft. Generally speaking, however, it is preferred that they be mounted in staggered positions on two axles parallel to the rotational axle of the matrix roller. With such an arrangement, discs located for producing adjoining swaths of holes are offset in a direction longitudinally of the web of material being perforated.

Where a single matrix roller is used, the roller will be partly encircled by the web that is to be perforated. Should that not be desirable for some reason, then the invention contemplates construction utilizing two matrix rollers. With this construction, a respective axle carrying a number of discs is assigned to each of the rollers, the discs being alternatively arranged as described above in connection with a single matrix roller. After the perforating pins have been in operation for a period of time, they become worn and must be resharpened by grinding. The perforating pins extend radially to mesh with the holes of the matrix roller and such grinding results in a shortening of the pins whereby they no longer mesh precisely with the matrix holes. Consequently, accurate perforation may no longer be possible. In order to compensate for such grinding, it is an additional and essential feature of the invention that the perforating pins be adjustable in a radial direction. Thus, means are provided for adjusting the worn pins by pushing the same toward the outside of the disc. The pins may then be ground down to the point where the original operational characteristics are again achieved. The means for facilitating such adjustment includes a slide mechanism in each disc having an inclined surface which supports the perforating pins. Movement of the mechanism causes radial shifting of the pins. Finally, the perforating pins according to the invention can be attached in such a way to the disc carrying them that they are held in lateral and radial direction by one or more compressible members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section, of a perforating mechanism which embodies the principles and concepts of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the pattern of the swath of perforations produced by a disc of the mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention wherein two matrix rollers are used; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: k

receiving perforating pins 14, 15, and 16 therein. In the drawing, holes 2a are shown in only .one ring 2. In reality, however, it is to be understood that all rings 2 are provided with holes 2a. Rings 2 are rigidly attached to shaft 1 in such a way that they cannot rotate relative thereto.

A plurality of peripheral grooves 3 and longitudinal grooves 4 are provided in shaft 1 for the purpose of facilitating disposal of waste. It should be understood that only the upper groove 4 has been shown in FIG. 1, anda groove 4 is indicated by dashed lines. In fact, however, there are more than two grooves 4, for example, it is preferred that a groove 4 be provided for each transverse perforation line. Likewise, it is preferred that a groove 3 be provided for each longitudinal perforation line.

Roller 1 is driven in the customary manner. If the web 21 to be perforated is first printed, then roller 1 must be rotated in synchronization with the printing machine, or it must be controlled by a photoelectric cell or the like which scans the printed images.

A plurality of discs 18 are provided for carrying perforating pins 14, 15 and 16. Discs 18 are rotatably mounted on eccentric bushings 6 by means of anti-friction bearings 6a. Eccentric bushings 6 are attached on a fixed axle 5. Hence, discs 18 are rotatable adjacent roller 1, generally about the axis of axle 5. Discs 18 comprise an inside bushing 7 having flanges 8 and 9 and an outside bushing 10 provided with holes 10a which receive perforating pins 14, and 16 therethrough. The holes 10a correspond precisely to the holes 2a of roller 1. Pins 14, 15 and 16 are disposed to protrude into corresponding holes 2a in a known manner and it is to be understood that rotational forces are applied to the discs 18 by interaction between pins 14, 15 and 16 and holes 2a such that roller 1 and'discs 18 rotate in synchronization.

Inside each disc 18 is a ring 11 provided with a partially conical outside circumference. Ring 11 is also provided with a plurality of recesses 11a. The bottoms of recesses 11a are inclined and they receive wedgeshaped members 12 therein. Members 12 fit precisely into recesses 11a and are capable of sliding therein. A number of screws 13 are distributed evenly around the peripheral face of discs 18 and ring 11 can be shifted to the left or right by turning screws 13. Because of the conical shape of ring 11 and by virtue of recesses 11a therein, all perforating pins 14 and 15 may be shifted radially. This operation will be described more precisely hereinbelow.

Each disc 18 provided with perforating pins 14., 15 and 16 can be moved into and out of operational posiforations within a certain axial range. This swath is produced by pins 14 which are disposed in a circumferentially extending row around disc 18 for longitudinal perforations and by pins 15 which are disposed in I an axially extending line..to produce transverse perforations. Only one line of pins 15 is shown. Actually, however, it is to be understood that a plurality of such lines are distributed evenly around the circumference of each disc 18. Pins 16 are common to both the circumferentially extending rows and the axially extending lines and are therefore common to both longitudinal and transverse perforations. The pattern within the axial range of the swath produced by each disc 18 is illustrated in FIG. 2 where the hole made by pin 16 is designated 16a. This pattern is produced on a web of material which moves in the direction of arrow 17.

Although, in FIG. 1, only one neighboring disc 18 is shown, it is to be understood that a plurality of discs 18 are attached on axle 5 at certain predetermined spaced distances. All of the discs 18 are preferably identical to the one described above. I

The portion of the web which lies between the discs 18 on axle 5 is perforated by discs 19 mounted on a second axle 20. Discs 19 are preferably identical to discs 18 and are mounted on axle 20 in the same manner as discs 18 are mounted on axle 5. In this manner, each swath adjoins an adjacent swath without any gap therebetween, and as a result uninterrupted lines of transverse perforations are produced along with the continuous longitudinal perforations.

In FIG. 1 discs 18 and 19 are shown as lying on opposite sides of matrix roller 1. Axles 5 and 20 may also be placed differently, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 where they are disposed at an angle of approximately so that the web 21, which is to be perforated, encircles roller 1 at an angle of only 90.

In some cases it is desirable that the web to be perforated is not substantially deflected by encirclement of the matrix roller. Rather,in such cases it is desirable that the web be guided straight through the perforating mechanism. There are several possibilities for this purpose within the scope of the invention.

Another arrangement and, generally speaking, a preferred one consists in the use of two matrix rollers 22 and 23 which are shown in FIG. 4 as being mounted on shafts 22a and 23a. Matrix rollers 22 and 23 may be generally the same as matrix roller 1 described above in connection with FIG. 1. Discs 24 and 25 may also be the same as disc 18 of FIG. 1. Discs 24 and 25 are mounted on axles 26 and 27 by eccentric bushings like bushings 6. Discs 24 and 25 are also displaced axially in such a manner that they are assigned alternately to the individual perforation areas. Matrix rollers 22 and 23 also can be adapted correspondingly such that only every other ring on these rollers, which corresponds to rings 2 in FIG. 1, need be provided with perforation holes. However, it is necessary that rollers 22 and 23 be synchronized relative to one another. This can be effected, for example, through the use of interconnecting gears.

In FIG. 3,-because of the small scale, not all perforating pins have been shown which are needed to produce a swath of perforations according to FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, on the other hand, an enlarged section of FIG. 3 has been shown which shows the full arrangement. In FIG. 5, as in FIG. 1, the shaft of the matrix roller has been designated by 1a, the ring, which contains the holes 2a for penetration by the perforating pins, has been designated 2 and the longitudinal grooves by 4. On the disc carrying the perforating pins, bushing 7 and ring 11 can be seen. These elements are intersected in the plane in which the longitudinal perforating pins 14 are disposed. Wedge-shaped members 12 are embedded in the rings 11. In FIG. 5, only the perforating pins serving for the longitudinal perforations can be seen. Of these pins, pins 14 are supported by ring 11 and pins 16 assigned to the point of crossing of longitudinal and transverse perforations are supported by the wedge-shaped members 12. All pins, including pins 15 for the rows of transverse perforations, penetrate through the outside ring with the least possible clearance, so that their position with reference to the holes of the matrix roller is fixed precisely. However, despite the minimum clearance, they must be radially shiftable in relation to ring 10.

As is shown in FIG. 1, ring 11 is partially conical at those locations where no recess 11a exists for a wedgeshaped member 12. The recesses 11a are provided with a slanting surface. The angles made by the conical or slanting surfaces with the rotational axis are all the same. If ring 11 is shifted on its bushing 7 to the left or to the right by turning screws 13, then the perforating pins are moved radially. In FIG. 1, when ring 11 is moved to the left, all pins 14 are pressed outwardly by the same degree as are wedge members 12 which, in turn, press perforating pins and 16 outwardly. Thus, as mentioned above, perforating pins 14, 15 and 16 can be adjusted outwardly where they can be ground down to such a point that the original pitch of the pins will again be achieved. The perforating pins then have sharp edges again without their mutual distance having changed.

Within each disc the annular space between ring 11, flanges 8 and 9 and outside ring 10 is filled with an elastic body 28. Since the volume of this annular space changes somewhat during the movement of ring 11 to the right or left, body 28 must not only be resilient but,

I at the same time, it must also be changeable as to volume. Preferably, body 28 may comprise a foam substance which fulfills these conditions. The perforating pins are embedded in body 28 and are held by its elasticity. Consequently, the pins are restrained against movement in a lateral direction. The holes in body 28 through which the pins extend, should preferably be of a smaller diameter than the pins whereby the latter may be tightly grasped by the holes. Thus, the holding force of elastic body 28 will act in a radial direction to prevent movement of the pins to the outside under the influence of the centrifugal forces exerted by a revolving disc. However, with such construction it is possible for the individual pins to be pulled out of replacement of damaged pins. This way of grasping the pins is particularly advantageous since they do not need reinforced foot ends which, in addition, simplifies production.

Iclaim:

l. Perforating mechanism for simultaneously perforating a web of material both longitudinally and transversely, said mechanism comprising:

rotatable matrix means comprising at least one matrix roller provided with a plurality of holes extending radially inwardly from its outer surface;

a plurality of discs, each disc being mounted for rotation adjacent the matrix means about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller; and D Y a plurality of radially extending perforating pins mounted on each disc, said pins being arranged on each disc to present at least one circumferentially extending row of pins and at least one axially extending line of pins;

said matrix means and said discs beingrotatable in synchronization, said pins and holes being located for penetration of the pins into corresponding holes during synchronized rotation of the matrix means and discs,

said discs being relatively disposed for producing a series of parallel, adjoining, longitudinally extending swaths of perforations in a web of material fed between the matrix means and the discs during said synchronized rotation,

discs located for producing adjoining swaths of perforations being offset in a direction longitudinally of the web of material.

2. Mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided at least two axles for the discs, said axles being spaced apart along said direction, discs located for producing adjoining swaths of perforations being mounted in staggered position for rotation on different axles.

3. Mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said matrix means comprises a pair of said rollers mounted for rotation on parallel axes, the pins on the discs mounted on one of said axles cooperating with the holes of one of said rollers, the pins on the discs of the other axle cooperating with the holes of the other roller.

4. Mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said perforating pins are all adjustable in, a radial direction.

5. Mechanism asset forth in claim 4 whereineach disc includes a slide mechanism having an inclined surface supporting said perforating pins, said surface being located for shifting the pins radially during axial sliding of the mechanism.

6. Mechanism as set forth in claim 5 wherein each disc includes a compressible member surrounding said pins for limiting the lateral and radial movement of the pins.

7. Mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said matrix means comprises a single roller, said axles being spaced apart circumferentially of said roller.

8. Mechanism as set forth in claim 7 wherein said perforating pins are all adjustable in a radial direction.

Mechanism as set forth in claim 8 wherein each disc includes a slide mechanism having an inclined surface supporting said perforating pins, said surface being located for shifting the pins radially during axial sliding of the mechanism.

10. Mechanism as set forth in claim 9 wherein each disc includes a compressible member surrounding said pins for limiting the lateral and radial movement of the pins. 

1. Perforating mechanism for simultaneously perforating a web of material both longitudinally and transversely, said mechanism comprising: rotatable matrix means comprising at least one matrix roller provided with a plurality of holes extending radially inwardly from its outer surface; a plurality of discs, each disc being mounted for rotation adjacent the matrix means about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller; and a plurality of radially extending perforating pins mounted on each disc, said pins being arranged on each disc to present at least one circumferentially extending row of pins and at least one axially extending line of pins; said matrix means and said discs being rotatable in synchronization, said pins and holes being located for penetration of the pins into corresponding holes during synchronized rotation of the matrix means and discs, said discs being relatively disposed for producing a series of parallel, adjoining, longitudinally extending swaths of perforations in a web of material fed between the matrix means and the discs during said synchronized rotation, discs located for producing adjoining swaths of perforations being offset in a direction longitudinally of the web of material.
 2. Mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided at least two axles for the discs, said axles being spaced apart along said direction, discs located for producing adjoining swaths of perforations being mounted in staggered position for rotation on different axles.
 3. Mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said matrix means comprises a pair of said rollers mounted for rotation on parallel axes, the pins on the discs mounted on one of said axles cooperating with the holes of one of said rollers, the pins on the discs of the other axle cooperating with the holes of the other roller.
 4. Mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said perforating pins are all adjustable in a radial direction.
 5. Mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein each disc includes a slide mechanism having an inclined surface supporting said perforating pins, said surface being located for shifting the pins radially during axial sliding of the mechanism.
 6. Mechanism as set forth in claim 5 wherein each disc includes a compressible member surrounding said pins for limiting the lateral and radial movement of the pins.
 7. Mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said matrix means comprises a single roller, said axles being spaced apart circumferentially of said roller.
 8. Mechanism as set forth in claim 7 wherein said perforating pins are all adjustable in a radial direction.
 9. Mechanism as set forth in claim 8 wherein each disc includes a slide mechanism having an inclined surface supporting said perforating pins, said surface being located for shifting the pins radially during axial sliding of the mechanism.
 10. Mechanism as set forth in claim 9 wherein each disc includes a compressible member surrounding said pins for limiting the lateral and radial movement of the pins. 